Indonesia Blocks Polymarket In Online Gambling Crackdown

Indonesia’s Communication and Digital Affairs Ministry has blocked access to Polymarket, saying the website is operating as an online gambling service under the appearance of a prediction market. The move is part of the government’s broader effort to remove speculative digital betting from the country’s online space.  

Read more Fitch Lowers SJM Holdings Rating On Macau Share Pressure

Ministry Moves Against Platform

Director general of digital space supervision, Alexander Sabar, said the government will not allow any form of online gambling in Indonesia. Speaking to reporters in Jakarta, he said Polymarket’s activities involve betting and speculation on uncertain events, which he said violates Indonesian law.

A prediction market is generally a platform that allows users to trade contracts based on the outcome of future events such as elections, economic trends, or sporting events. It often uses blockchain technology or crypto assets. In this case, the ministry said Polymarket functions in practice as a platform for monetary betting on outcomes or events and therefore remains classified as online gambling.

Wider Access Restrictions

As part of the blocking action, the ministry said it has also traced social media accounts affiliated with Polymarket to help ensure comprehensive access control across platforms. Officials said the aim is to protect the public, especially younger digital users.

The ministry also said it would block access to similar services suspected of facilitating prediction market practices. That approach reflects the government’s intention to stop speculative digital betting before it spreads further through the market.

Read more Arsenal Premier League parade 2026 date, time, route and how to watch title celebrations

International Comparisons

Indonesia’s decision follows similar steps taken by several other jurisdictions. According to Alexander, countries including Singapore, Brazil, and India have officially blocked Polymarket, while Taiwan, Thailand, China, and Japan have imposed restrictions under their respective national laws.

The ministry said several countries have restricted access to Polymarket and similar prediction market platforms because they are considered comparable to online gambling services. The Indonesian government said that the view supports its own decision to act against the platform locally.  

Public Warning And Monitoring

The ministry appealed to citizens to refrain from engaging in any speculative digital betting games, including crypto-related transactions, stating that they could lead to losses as well as any regulation breaches in Indonesia. It was highlighted that the users must not regard such systems as harmless platforms for trade, since the act involved is gambling.

It was stated that the government would be collaborating with the police as well as other relevant parties in order to monitor digital platforms to ensure that the digital landscape in Indonesia remains safe, healthy, and productive. Polymarket is banned from Indonesia, and other online gambling platforms will also be reviewed by the ministry.

Read more Arthur Gea pleads with umpire for mid-match bathroom break at French Open: ‘I can’t move anymore’

Source: Antara